Lake Sonoma 11/30

Got up late did a few Honeydews and got up to the lake at 9:45 a few boats trolling few bassing nobody catching. Went out to the dam to troll FF was empty not marking anything. Trolled down to the Marina then across the face of the Dam nothing. Water temp was 45 but I noticed that the eastern side was 5 degrees higher really close to shore. So I stayed in 12-14' of water and starting hooking smallies nothing big but all nice and fat 12-15". It was a trip they were so lethargic them would come in really easy until they saw the yak then go crazy. Then one burired my pole great fight almost got him last jump along side the yak lure comes flying back damn looked like 17-18". Then I hook a steelie these fish are lively release turn around and got 2 more small 12-14".
Then I decide to cross the lake on the way across in 220' of water I hook something big 1 long run then nothing damn. Troll back to the ramp for nothing except I lose my 10yr old Shad Rap. Troll up the warm springs arm first point bam 14" LMB then another about the same size. decide to call it a day on the way back another 17". Lot of PB back at the ramp no fish damn its rewarding beating bots that cost 60 grand.

Weather was super. I'll be back next week.

Great report. Ill join you next time, I love that lake, why didnt you keep the steelies? Too small? They fit a pan nice that size.
Another skunk for me at C.C.

Great score Mike.

shad raps suck big time 

I think tomorrow they are going to catch a 21"LMB and a 18" smallie

I'm headed to the store to buy more what colors suck the most?

Nice Mike,

I'll be scouting the Northern end this afternoon to see if any have started the Winter migration to the back.....

Looks like you got a great mixture of what that lake has to provide. About loosing your shad rap. Bummer...I assume it was on a snag and not the big one? Here's a great tip for ya. Buy a 2-3oz weight, attach one of those stainless steel wire snaps to it (attach the smaller side to the weight) and keep it with you. When you get snagged, row right on top of it, clip the snap onto your line, (line must be straight to the lure) and let it fall to your lure, then drop your rod tip a couple feet and then snap it up sharply. More times than not it will pull the lure off the snag. Repeat as nessasary. The weight pulls from the opposite direction you got snagged, and pulls it free.  For jigs, it almost always works. With trebbles it's less effective, but worth a try. Especially when it's your senimental 10 yr oldly but goody... If you end up donating the weight too, your only out a few cents. We gotta hook up soon.

jonesz = great tip there  I just lost my second 3inch - risto rap (discontinued) made by rapala - to a snag at Del Valle. I only have one left  I'll make sure I have a "lure retriever" next time 

I have saved hundereds of potential lost lures with this technique. Especially when I'm jigging in the trees. Also, as soon as you know it's a snag and not a fish, back off so you don't set the hook deeper.

Way to hook it Mike!  I wish I could troll up a trout that one looks painful to the naked eye.

Thanks for the pics& port!  I need to go yak that lake soon!

Looks like you got a great mixture of what that lake has to provide. About loosing your shad rap. Bummer...I assume it was on a snag and not the big one? Here's a great tip for ya. Buy a 2-3oz weight, attach one of those stainless steel wire snaps to it (attach the smaller side to the weight) and keep it with you. When you get snagged, row right on top of it, clip the snap onto your line, (line must be straight to the lure) and let it fall to your lure, then drop your rod tip a couple feet and then snap it up sharply. More times than not it will pull the lure off the snag. Repeat as nessasary. The weight pulls from the opposite direction you got snagged, and pulls it free.  For jigs, it almost always works. With trebbles it's less effective, but worth a try. Especially when it's your senimental 10 yr oldly but goody... If you end up donating the weight too, your only out a few cents. We gotta hook up soon.

Mickfish - Way to go on the mixed bag.

JonesZ - That is a great tip on lure recovery. Thanks! Scott